2017 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro Review

While crossovers are the most popular type of car at the moment, there are some downsides to these vehicles. Due to their size they usually don’t have the best maneuverability and agility. All in all, these cars don’t offer the optimal dynamic and supple driving experience. Whereas in normal weather and road conditions this is all very well, there will be some moments when you really notice what the crossover lacks. Swift steering and shifting and driving up an incline are all things your usual crossover does not do as well as a smaller vehicle. And that’s where the 2017 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro comes in. According to Audi, this car combines all the advantages of a crossover with the features it lacks from smaller automobiles. Of course, this is quite the statement to make. We’re very curious if the A4 Allroad Quattro lives up to these high standards Audi set.

Exterior design

First of all, the A4 Allroad Quattro is built on the same platform as the A4 Avant. These vehicles are both adaptations of the regular exterior and interior of the 2017 A4 sedan. The same platform comes to expression in the width and wheelbase length, which are the same size as the Avant’s. The Allroad Quattro, however, is slightly longer and taller than the Avant. The Allroad needs more suspension than the regular A4 sedan, so the wheelbases have a significantly higher position. Thus far the beginning of Audi’s differentiating in exterior design.

Audi also didn’t reserve the further adaptation of exterior details. Since the 2017 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro is an off-road ready vehicle, the regular off-road cues can be found here. Think of high wheelbases, bolder fenders and underbody protection just below the front bumper.

The fenders come in a matte dark grey colour tone, but can also be had in the colour of the body metal. Although this is only possible for four of the fourteen body colours.

Other differences with the regular A4 sedan are the chrome stripes on Audi‘s Singleframe grille. On the Allroad Quattro these are vertical, whereas on the Avant they’re horizontal. Also, the lower bumper has a chrome finish and slightly different design than on the Avant.

Furthermore, the headlights are the exact same ones as the Avant uses. Of course, the Allroad badge can be found all across the car and the rear of the car sports a nice, modest size roof spoiler.

Interior design

The usefulness of the 2017 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro continues on the inside of the car. For starters, there’s 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up. Fold those down and the cargo space becomes 53.3 cubic feet.

The expanded cargo space is unfortunately the only big change in the Allroad’s interior. The seats, centre console, steering wheel, instrument cluster and most of the materials are the exact same features that are found in the regular A4.

Also optional is the ambient lighting package, that comes with 30 different shades of light. Finally, a 4G LTE connection is built in into the car.

Engine specs

Standard on the 2017 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro is All Wheel Drive. New on the 2017 model is the use that the AWD makes of distributing power and pressure over the four individual wheels for better traction in slippery road conditions.

Europe gets one gasoline option and more than five different diesel engine options. Since diesel engines are not so popular in the States, the US will only receive the gasoline engine.

The gasoline engine is a 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder that makes use of direct injection and puts out 252 horsepower. It’s the same engine as is found in the regular A4 sedan, although this engine has been upgraded and tweaked to put out more power. It reaches top speeds of 153 mph (246 kph). This engine is only available with an automatic seven speed dual-clutch shifter.

The diesel engine options are a 2.0 liter four cylinder that can either be had in a version that puts out 163 hp or one that puts out 190 HP. Both only come with the automatic transmission. Then there’s the 3.0 liter six cylinder that’s also available in two states of tuning. The first makes 218 horse power, the second a blasting 272. The latter has a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds, pretty amazing for a non-sports sedan!

The eight-speed automatic tiptronic transmission is only available on the European 3.0 liter with 272 hp.

Tech specs

Standard tech features on all the Allroad trims are: electrically openable and closeable trunk lid, Keyless go and MMI Radio Plus. There’s also Bluetooth Phone Connectivity and Audi Connect emergency call and service.

Standard safety features include Audi Pre Sense City system. This feature recognizes vehicles and pedestrians up until 52 mph (83 kph). It also recognizes a possible collision and warns the driver with sound, audio and a braking impulse. If necessary, the feature brakes partially or completely to avoid collision. Furthermore, there’s cruise control and rear park assist.

Price and sale date

The 2017 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro is now available across Europe. Prices start at €44,750 in Germany. The 272 hp diesel engine has a starting price of €54,400.

The Allroad Quattro is unfortunately not yet available in US dealerships, but it will come in October. The Americans have three trim levels to choose from: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. Premium has a starting price of $44,000, Premium Plus starts at $47,000 and Prestige starts at $51,400.